[syzygy @replies]

@whohar will do! It’s very kind of you.

[syzygy @replies]

@whohar hallooo!!
The MSO’s Hamer Hall (Melbourne) has a collection of Brahms work over the second portion of its season.

prior to that, part of Ballarat’s ‘Symphony’ is having a rehearsal session with walk-in audience -shortly, which is where I step in as a favour for another conductor. It’s student based, for now & small. It could be called a master class but that’s being bombastic!

And as to the MSO, above, that’s much later & dependent on other criteria including health etc. -mine and the listed conductor.

@nerys -indeed I did. But mostly I was terrible! My breathing method caused me to be sharp. My minor was singing, though, & I had more fun with it. Yes blood donation can cause all sorts of problems physically. That would’ve been awful.

I knew a very tall gentleman with a massive chest space who continually donated blood & showed up an hour later for rehearsals. He was a bassoonist!! 🤣 Or perhaps he was from Krypton….

[syzygy @replies]

@nerys oh oboe! Never was I more embarrassed when I auditioned for uni, played 16 bars of ‘When Johnny comes Marching home, Hoorah…” & promptly fainted. Not my finest, but panel placed loo rolls under my head to avoid too much pain 🙂

@psIOv3yOu

whichever way you look musicians are cult figures of their time & rock jumps on the societal hills & valleys & so it’s provisional.

And music can’t be known by any 1 mind (Stravinsky taken out of context who saw expression isn’t just a property of music so that there’s not always a correlation between a composers’s feelings & notation). Though Rog likes to think it! An intelligent guy determined to express his suprapersonal ideas.

& to your point, after the late 60s, power shifts from producers to consumers; seeing what’s popular: once making decisions they now followed impulses. & the press was often hijacked to consumer interest & for new Floyd this was spaciness.

[syzygy @replies]

Oops spelled your name wrong ! 😑

[syzygy @replies]

@ps1I0v3you

Floyd’s interesting…. After awhile they lost their dreaminess, becoming doleful tragedians;  with huge cutting movements of electronic, uniform mass.  Their much earlier wry, and ungovernable, music, left.  And yet we all went with them…..

[syzygy @replies]

@dentarthurdent I remember when a neighbour showed me this album & I said, wait for it….“it’s nothing like the white album, is it?” Later, I asked “who are Dink Floyd?”

He buried his hands in his head at that point. Fortunately he took it upon himself to educate me (as so many men tried to do!).

I got better!

@nerys the “when you’re small you do it all” is absolutely what I recall, too. The clarinet is fabulous: I tried it but the oboe was more my thing, for a little while…..
Mozart’s clarinet concerto in A. K. 622 is delicious and roomy.

We’re performing Brahms 3: 1st mvt is playful & requires delicate, pulled-back strings & an empathetic conductor who doesn’t smash out the coda? So I’m looking  forward. ❤️

Puro

[syzygy @replies]

@devilishrobby I really hope your health improves -it sounds very scary indeed. I also hope you have some music to focus on during the tough wait time for the pacemaker & defibrillator .❤️❤️

@winston  I almost always fail my NY resolutions so I’m trying to call them something else! Our local pool offers very cheap entry fees for us oldies so that’s a win. We can walk there, swim some laps and return (followed by a stint under the hose).

@dentarthurdent Dark Side of the Moon is very cool!!

Puro

[syzygy @replies]

@devilishrobby

I must concur with @winston – Stay devilish!

Hoping for a great year for all in ‘26 with as much Who as possible.
@janetteb have you had any access to the War Between Land and Sea (what an overblown title)? Have any of our UK or possibly U.S. & Canadian members seen the series/season?
I’ve heard Russel Tovey’s brilliant.

Our new year kicked off as it often does with a dose of thrill, including Die Hard 3 (film’s great but McTiernan as director got himself into hot water about 10 years later).

Another genre on the list is horror. We saw Weapons and also Frankenstein, directed in lush fashion by Guillermo del Toro, with our Aus actor, Jacob Elordi playing the monster.

And I’ll be doing some conducting during late January in Victoria which is exciting. There’ll be some Brahms -hard going, but rather fun!

shout out to @craig for keeping this site merry & kind. I’ve re-learned of late that it’s the most important thing. Friendships only exist because of it; disputes are best settled with it, and no music can be made without it…

Cheers, Puro and Thane.

[syzygy @replies]

@winston sounds like you had an amazing Christmas with your 3 children! And also a grandchild and a great- grandchild.  I know Covid seems long ago but I don’t think we take for granted those family gatherings in the way we once did (or, at least, I did).

@nerys in my Christmas cracker (I make them myself) one of the Fun Facts I included was “how much does a cloud weigh?”

That discussion was long! Apparently an average cumulus can weigh 500 000 kg or 100 elephants. 🤣

[syzygy @replies]

Oops!  @winston @scaryb @juniperfish

[syzygy @replies]

Just dashing in by late Tardis (“takes you not where you want to go but where you need to be” -a tad paraphrased).

Hoping you all had a merry Christmas, relaxing in firesides, standing in snow or having informal Christmases’ by the beach or sleeping on cooler porches (not Porsches) where constant temps at 29 degrees Celsius at midnight felt like The Fires of Pompeii. 🥵🥵

aaand calling out to all including @blenkinsopthebrave @cathannabel, @arbutus @mudlark as well as others @janetteb (how is summer going?) @nerys @dentarthurdent @ psIl0v3y0u and to our many newcomers!

affectionately, Old Puro and Fam. 🎄❤️

 

 

[syzygy @replies]

@dentarthurdent and @psiloveyou…. (Oops)

I think that description of “the mind is the monster, any mind” is a great interpretation. I’m reminded of “not every ….statue but ANY statue.”

I also think “too clever” was a bitter throwaway at Moffat & I recall many mothers in the 70s yelling: “don’t be so clever” which may’ve meant arguing either very well, or not at all; possibly being too shy or insufficiently shy; or talking or even writing too much. No one on the bad end of the yelling could figure it out! 🙂

Emotional depth was key to RTD & Moffat. I too loved those scenes with 12 & Clara & as you say, Arthur, the poignancy worked either way. Her acting throughout that period beat the crap out of so many of 1960s/1970s/80s companions (to me), but that’s partly because of the nature of seasonal Who scripts  & script expectations…..?

Oooh, yes, Okinado would’ve been perfect. Perhaps not the fairy- floss-pastel optimism of Whitaker?

Certainly, we should agree that Soaps are worthy of a lot of criticism- but not too much because Soaps are very, very difficult to write well. Was it Moffat who originally wrote for a variety of soaps in the 90s writer’s rooms w/o credit? & there are many soaps seemingly as long as the life of a Tardis.

[syzygy @replies]

@miapatrick good to hear from you! Hope you’re well.

I like that idea: Rose as Tardis. People have speculated that there’s something in the way she says “hello.” She’s thrilled and intrigued rather than freaked out. Nor is she in any pain- as we’ve seen in most regens? I was just rewatching 11th Hour and that particular regen had a lot of yelling!

[syzygy @replies]

@dentarthurdent

I think the scene of Amy & the Doctor on the hill was because at the end of that episode Rory was excised from memory due to the crack in time.

The Doctor keeps the engagement ring hidden from Amy. Her meeting with Vincent, in the next episode, shows her sadness as I think Vincent says she seems happy & yet still cries. 2 episodes later & Rory reappears as an auton.

Most definitely Moffat had a hand in polishing up & reviewing all the episodes in his seasons.

[syzygy @replies]

@blenkinsopthebrave @whohar @winston @psi

agreed. Those are top notch episodes. The Eleventh Hour was an hour long, wasn’t it? I think most of those series increased runtimes from 44 mins to 52. And there was still 13 eps per year.

RTD initially had an Easter special (as well as the Christmas ones) travelling to Dubai to film Planet of the Dead? I actually loved that Gareth Roberts story, an absolute hoot & Lady Sousa was just the right blend of cheeky & class.

[syzygy @replies]

Ps: yes, I liked the Chibnall Hungry Earth BUT it’s weird listening to this where the Doctor says, maybe 6x “be better. Be better than this.” It’s sadly one note. And some of the characters are 2 dimensional. But the kid? And his dad? They were colourful & humorous characters. It’s one Chib set of eps I’ll happily rewatch.

[syzygy @replies]

PSI

yes, people are terrified around Moffat. The odious expression “too clever” was bandied around a lot. Also, in interviews he’s hardly sufficiently “apologetic or humble” -whatever the heck that means! His era with Smith & Capaldi and Sherlock was top tier telly. I’m pretty sure it taught our son to think…

[syzygy @replies]

@blenkinsopthebrave

I wonder to what extent it’s now about new sources of funding; a lighter show for youngsters; Disney’s expectations & the bottom line: not to mention the contract Gatwa negotiated so he wasn’t doing 13- 14 episodes per year? I think this explains a lot.

[syzygy @replies]

@whohar without doubt Season 5 was a beautiful fairytale & resonated so perfectly. I periodically rewatch The Eleventh Hour: that mysterious opening scene with the warm light emanating from the Tardis is unforgettable. And the 2 young Amy’s -the hidden room in the corner of one’s eye & the enormous house with only one inhabitant.

Puro

[syzygy @replies]

@devilishrobby I think you’re onto something with Anita’s boss (is it Anita at the Time hotel?) and The Meep’s boss being 2 different people? Anita’s is benevolent whilst The Meep’s not, I assume. I really hoped the Boss angle would be sorted by now! I thought it would be Omega.

Is there a Christmas special? Or is it all some years away now….

[syzygy @replies]

@mikenjenn72 interesting…. But I don’t think they will or can bring back Mickey/Ricky any time soon…

[syzygy @replies]

@janetteb “why?”

that’s a great question & an interesting set of ideas, Janette.  I felt the same.

For me, the brilliant colourising of the set & cinematography didn’t leave me with a feeling of disquiet?  Had this world of doubt, created by Conrad’s Wish, used a different tone where everything was still 2025 but without the ‘50s particular colour & mood as pictured here, I might’ve felt differently?

I’d have preferred a darker palette mixed with a mysterious score -less vibrant with a leitmotif generating alarm & dread – with several slightly “off” scenes & consequences related to the ‘slip?’

I also disliked the quips- which is all the dialogue of the last 2 seasons. Nothing has time to breathe, to investigate & probe? I think @whohar and @ps1I0v3y0u mentioned this too?

I recall Tennant’s Gridlock. Martha makes him sit & he paints a picture, whilst surrounded by the gloom of New Earth. He speaks of the beautiful Gallifrey,  with red skies & rolling hills. As the hymn starts, there’s a pause of nearly 20 seconds before the Doctor admits he lied “because I liked it. I could pretend they were still alive. Underneath the burnt orange sky. I’m not just a TL. I’m the last.”

After Martha asks another question, the Doctor pauses again: “The second sun would rise in the south & the mountains would shine. The leaves on the trees were silver, & when they caught the light every morning, they looked like a forest on fire.”

We don’t get that breath & time anymore.
And with 8 episodes, not 14; with 44 mins & not Moffat’s 52, we’ve no choice but to move on & also have an overly bright, optimistic Doctor.

As @jimthefish said, the ambiguous & emotional doctors of the early 2000s & 2010s needed to evolve, but I profess that it’s difficult for me!

Also they didn’t address how the Doctor tortured Kid in the Interstellar Song Contest, breaking away from his promise, “never be cruel; never be cowardly. Remember, hate is always foolish. Love is always wise.” Not to mention this Doctor’s weeping. Russ said he didn’t ask Gatwa to do this: “I’d never tell an actor as fine as this not to cry!” But I would’ve liked more resolution.

Puro.

[syzygy @replies]

Bearing in mind I came to Who in 1975, and so should include more of the pre-gap period, I don’t have the memory to bring all the darkness & grit to mind quickly. I’ll add these more because they’re chilling. But, tomorrow I’d have a different list! And I can’t stop at five (What Pertwee era had a tin foil face hanging in darkness- with glowing eyes?).

Carnival of Monsters

Spearhead from Space/Terror of the Autons

Brain of Morbius

The Empty Child

The Satan Pit

The God Complex, then the 2 parter: Flesh and Stone

aaand at the top: Heaven Sent: “You will run, it will walk. You will rest, it will not. One day you will linger in the same place too long. You will sit too still or sleep too deep. And when, too late, you rise to go, you will notice a second shadow next to yours…….”

[syzygy @replies]

@scaryb

ooh my top 5?
The Well;

73 yards

The Story & the Engine

Rogue

Lux

but I really want to put the Devil’s Chord in there too. And I really liked The Legend of Ruby Sunday. 😀

 

[syzygy @replies]

@whohar you had me right. I was not particularly impressed. But I need to think a little more….

[syzygy @replies]

@blenkinsopthebrave yes, you did wish Conrad wouldn’t be redeemed: yet, he was, or almost.

I have to admit, I’m not sure why Gatwa had to regenerate? But there was mention of moving the “phenotype to the left? and lots of talk about “degrees.” However, I wasn’t particularly gutted: I haven’t been a fan of this doctor -the “babes,” the vocal fry, transitory exchanges, the clothes etc.

I guess I always enjoyed the shambolic, awkward, unaesthetic Doctor, with his stolen wardrobe, nerdy talk, someone needing a “carer” (“she cares so I don’t have to”); the upper-class adventurer. I must stress, this is just my opinion -and poorly expressed: I totally get that the Doctor has to evolve from those habits!  I suspect if I let it sit, I’ll change my mind…. & I’m glad others have enjoyed this Doctor’s run, however short.

I liked the murky, dirty spaceships, the grim worlds, where everything seems off kilter and cold. But these seasons have been shot with brightness, vividly and graphically colourful, with massive effects and even the score, and its harmonic idiom, was involved in creating a feeling of the climactic: in fact the previous episode felt like it was building one quick piece of facile dialogue or libretto, after another. We were perpetually waiting.

As if the libretto was just a scaffold for the musical structure? The crescendos and suspensions kept building and building, creating more tension, renewing and emulating suspense, and whilst there was some formal coherence, I felt the multicoloured/psychedelic, orchestral feel of it ultimately led to an empty (untenanted!) conclusion.

In the past, referring to previous doctors was rare and thus SO special? Those repetitions felt a tad humdrum, to me.

I would’ve liked the mavity and fable theme to be finalised? I thought we’d go back to the apple orchard, too, and that even Ruby Sunday with the unusual name, might vanish into only the Doctor’s mind -though “it’s all a dream” would be on the nose? Perhaps, though, as 11 always said, “we’re all stories in the end.” Maybe we don’t need a resolution to that and even with more stories from the pantheon coming. Christopher Nolan is doing The Odyssey!

Puro xx

 

[syzygy @replies]

@blenkinsopthebrave

I too wonder if Poppy’s a TL. Having needed a poppy of my own, I also wondered if she is the Doctor -I’m thinking of how stories containing several doctors have existed within a larger story or a main episode…. Such as the 2013  anniversary….And Space Babbies being the first of the main season after the Christmas special/s. 🧐

[syzygy @replies]

in harmonic idiom, at least, and in a more capricious and transcendent variation where chains of suspensions renew tension.

[syzygy @replies]

At the end of the last episode, it was interesting to hear Carol of The Bells once more…..

[syzygy @replies]

@pufferfish I think the Rani should be called dumbass forever onwards. And Conrad.
Also, why does Ruby feel the need to see Conrad face to face? She isn’t hoping to “reform him” Is she?  (Echoes of The West Wing there and Sam….).

Puro.

[syzygy @replies]

@missrori I think anyone falling to their death thinks of their offspring first. It demonstrates how human the Doctor has become. As it shows the very best of us.

[syzygy @replies]

Hallooo everyone. An exciting but short series!
Love the theories and the characters within the  the rich Blodeuwedd tale. @whisht A shout out to a QLD minimalist composer, Peter Gundry and his Blodeuwedd fantasy composition (available on YouTube).
@whohar you’re definitely one of the gods of prophecy (aren’t they all?)! Perhaps Apollo?

@geoffers oh yes! (Said in the Tennant Doc voice). I loved the Family of Blood 2 parter. Thank you for explaining the skeletons. I absolutely couldn’t understand their significance….
@pufferfish “bi-generation is itself a time lord myth.” Oh that’s wonderful. Essentially, all should be restored but I’m not sure if RTD will want that?

yes, I agree, the Who world since Mavity and salt, is one of stories and also fables.

Perhaps tales of what will happen should we ignore the consequences of the double-think of neo-conservatives, and fail to recognise honest doubt…. When you run out questions, you don’t just run out of answers, but also hope. And the Doctor loves hope. He also loves a name -so I’m no fan of “babes.” 🙂

Without choice we become objects of circumstance: choice being the very definition of humanity. Hatred and desperation quickly become something of a vacuum, they don’t exist with other emotions so we find it hard to feel anything else. This is Conrad’s world.  He reverses reality, making it a catalyst for the distortion of it.

@devilishrobby yes, I wondered about the “stepping over the threshold” too. It reminded me of a husband carrying wife (over the threshold) as well as a door to a “Tardis.”

@scaryb @juniperfish it’s interesting how many episodes are reminiscent of previous Who/RTD series or stories -as you say the Racnoss was similar to the Bone palace and this episode a reminder of Dot and Bubble -indeed the theme is ignorant racism all over again with Conrad fitting in well to that society.

cheers! Puro.

[syzygy @replies]

@mudlark

We’re sorry to hear about your Christmas (I can relate) and am very glad to see you back here and enjoying some Who.

I liked Lux and The Well.
Fondly, Puro.

[syzygy @replies]

Interesting thoughts. I also noticed how Belinda’s fond mention of her dad’s routine at the pub on Friday turns to an interest in the wardrobe with barely a tear after the Doctor promises her she’ll get home, he will “sing” and Bel’s mum can “whistle” at his behind. I thought it a strange reaction?

So, is Belinda the new Master or Mrs Flood?
Puro.

[syzygy @replies]

@whohar yup. “Sad Man.” It was nicely done

[syzygy @replies]

Rich score

Amy’s theme and in the diner, a take on the Adagio Molto Beethoven’s Symphony 1.

[syzygy @replies]

@scaryb good to see you! 👋👋

[syzygy @replies]

@winston that sounds horrible. Sitting in your home, hearing the groans & sighs of trees while the whole house’s shuddering is very scary. It’s the sounds of this impending damage that’s often worse-but then in the light of day you really experience that awful truth. I hope some Dr Who & your family around will begin to return your heart & soul to something close to normal. We’re thinking of you. ❤️

[syzygy @replies]

@nerys @janetteb @blenkinsopthebrave lol. Yes, there are so many differing docos & series/movies on Henry & Wives, it’s flooded. But, yes, WH is quite lovely. The medieval wind & brass are a nice touch.

To all, Severance on Apple+ is terrific- a lot of the visuals are perfectly executed; office styles from a photographic book* inspired the director (I won’t say who because you might think “what? HIM? Wasn’t he once an obnoxious, American sit-com, comedian? Yes, no, yes, yes and yes but bear with).

The drama examines the nature of corporate control & trauma; identity-loss; corporate religious-style governance; renditions of grief & ennui. It’s honestly one of the best shows in 10 years, & worth purchasing considering  U.S. corporate environments & the direction of American theocracy.

It’s also very funny. But not bloated or broody or self absorbed.

Only a few DAYS for Who? Wonderful!
Puro

* Lars Tunbjork, Office.

 

[syzygy @replies]

@blenkinsopthebrave @winston @ nerys @janetteb an’ all. Thank you, yes, all well. I didn’t receive any notifications for awhile so thanks again.

I guess, afterwards, I did have a sense of humour but the week before? @winston crying in a ball, on the floor, was tempting. Basically I was doom scrolling for 7 days listening to every weather report & checking the electricity and the internet every few minutes. I kept asking “should I tape up the windows? Does that even help?” Or “can the bath can hold more water in case the latter is turned off?” But, yes, thousands of homes damaged beyond repair.

Mr Blink I didn’t realise you’d lived in St Lucia during that time. That was also a terrible flood, as you say.

I’m glad you love the Island. It sounds absolutely beautiful.

How many days until Who? A month? I’m always waiting for something! I’ve enjoyed Yellow Jackets, Wolf Hall 2 and Unforgotten. But the trailers for the Doctor look exciting.
Much love,
Puro

[syzygy @replies]

Hallloooo from Brisbane!
yes, we are A-OK. Thank you so much for your concern.

25 years ago we decided to find a house a little higher in Coorparoo – but not so our tin roof would be blown off in Brisbane gales.

Naturally, 3 weeks later. the cul de sac behind us hadn’t yet made its drains flood proof so a massive storm caused a 3 metre deep whirlpool at 1 am.

Local volunteer workers were dragging people out of it who thought it was a fab idea to swim in this terrifying in-land sea in the middle of the night. 😳

Since then, the backyard has flooded twice but this last cyclone, for us, at least, had little effect. Much of the rest of Brisbane & the South East is suffering terribly & I also noticed the homes we rented many years ago are on streets experiencing flash flooding.

Aaaand we were a little late, realising we had 1 torch & only 4 candles. The shops were devoid of anything in 48 hours so I filled up the bath tub & every container of water (in case the power & water were turned off) but as it was we could’ve happily showered in the street!

Warm wishes to all.
Puro and Fam. Xx

[syzygy @replies]

@craig yes on NFlix’ The Crown. Fagan was stunning. And the very last ep was VERY Who. The hubby is not a monarchist but there were almost tears. Clare Foy & Matt Smith were superb.

John Woodvine (Dangerman) was brilliant also.
• David Annen from An Adventure in Space & Time.
•Tim Bentinck (a bit of a Who legend)

[syzygy @replies]

@blenkinsopthebrave

golly! Hallooo…. I was in & out of hospital…. Back in on Saturday and out Monday for the last time. Which I’m looking forward to.
So, to everyone … Have you seen Severance? 👍👍👍

Puro.

[syzygy @replies]

I absolutely loved it! I was sobbing mess throughout and I felt our Doctor showed a little more sensitivity and emotion than earlier this year?

Merry Christmas to all.
Puro.

[syzygy @replies]

In rewatching S10 episode 6, ‘Oxygen’ -with 12, it’s very similar to Boom.

But there’s no song.

[syzygy @replies]

@ps1l0v3y0u

Ah, anything Tecteun tends to confuse me… zzz…probably to do with how I substituted The Nightmare Child for the abandoned kid…

I also rewatched 12’s The Flood 2parter. Where O’Donnell’s character mentions The Minister of War (post 1980) reminding me of Roger ap Gwilliam. There’s always a minstry of ….😔

The more I think of this season the more I believe it’s a Story created by some God, possibly Mrs Flood who recognises the One Who Waits and her Clock which is a different clock…. Perhaps she’s a God of Time? Because the clock ⏰ in Empire of Death doesn’t read the time, for example, when Susan is supposed to begin her live speech (at 3 pm) -it’s many minutes later. Also not enough time for 15’s scooter visit to Susan…But, if she’s playing with lives (& stories), Mrs Flood is WITHIN the story, which isn’t usual? 🤔 Still working on anagrams of MissusFlood -hopeless! I have only ‘SIMS’ as useful.

Though I noticed @jphamlore referenced Sutekh in 2015 on the Under The Lake/Before The Flood which was lovely! 😻

Mmmm, the only Dukkha I know is one I eat.

Puro

[syzygy @replies]

Data splice/slice…

[syzygy @replies]

@ps1l0v3y0u

Interesting …. And you DID mention “Splice” (….Data Splice….) before -as in Daughter of …who also said “silly, he’s not gone. He’s just dead” of her dad.

[syzygy @replies]

Was watching Dark Water…. (S8) and how 3W is cyberpeople. Dot and Bubble gives me the same feeling. Like the hint of light before dawn….

puro

[syzygy @replies]

@juniperfish “ …Bad Wolf” …. Oh very noice!

[Author]

Posts